Spain to Kenya
Spain to Kenya
Hello all
I am thinking of going overland from Spain to Kenya by electric trike.
To raise money for a street children project there.
Looking at the map I really can't see how, reasonably safely.
Your thoughts, knowledge and advice.
Please.
Thanks
I am thinking of going overland from Spain to Kenya by electric trike.
To raise money for a street children project there.
Looking at the map I really can't see how, reasonably safely.
Your thoughts, knowledge and advice.
Please.
Thanks
Re: Spain to Kenya
You mean by not taking a ferry across the Mediterranean?
So along the Southern Europe coast to the Bosphorus, cross in to Asia then cycle to the Egyptian border and in to Africa?
You'd need to cross Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the Gaza strip, or Iraq, Jordan and Israel or Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel. Then if you head south from Egypt, there's an civil war in Sudan to avoid.
So along the Southern Europe coast to the Bosphorus, cross in to Asia then cycle to the Egyptian border and in to Africa?
You'd need to cross Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the Gaza strip, or Iraq, Jordan and Israel or Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel. Then if you head south from Egypt, there's an civil war in Sudan to avoid.
A novice learning...
“the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.”
“the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible.”
Re: Spain to Kenya
Desperately trying to be positive here, but struggling.
I presume you are aware of the Govt FCO travel site. Anywhere too iffy and your travel insurance is void.
Taking a ferry to Morocco from southern Spain is easy.
Planning a route through northern Africa and the Sahel not so easy. Egypt was a traditional route and into Sudan, but apart from risks in Egypt, there's now a full blown civil war in Sudan.
How about flying to south Africa and heading north. You could ride through more stable countries.
Visas. Not always so easy and can be expensive.
Anything a bit unusual will attract attention. I think an electric trike qualifies as unusual. Also how robust and need to charge are other problems. I'd rather take a good quality touring bike. I've never had a problem with a basic bike at a border. Something unusual and obviously expensive could be a hassle.
Have you thought of sitting in a bath of baked beans (for charity).
I presume you are aware of the Govt FCO travel site. Anywhere too iffy and your travel insurance is void.
Taking a ferry to Morocco from southern Spain is easy.
Planning a route through northern Africa and the Sahel not so easy. Egypt was a traditional route and into Sudan, but apart from risks in Egypt, there's now a full blown civil war in Sudan.
How about flying to south Africa and heading north. You could ride through more stable countries.
Visas. Not always so easy and can be expensive.
Anything a bit unusual will attract attention. I think an electric trike qualifies as unusual. Also how robust and need to charge are other problems. I'd rather take a good quality touring bike. I've never had a problem with a basic bike at a border. Something unusual and obviously expensive could be a hassle.
Have you thought of sitting in a bath of baked beans (for charity).
Re: Spain to Kenya
I was going to post highlighting the risks associated with such a route until I re-read the OP. I thought an ebike was adventurous in Africa then I read "trike".
It must be a hoax post designed to get us excited about convincing the OP not to do it.
My advice is to go for it. What could possibly go wrong
It must be a hoax post designed to get us excited about convincing the OP not to do it.
My advice is to go for it. What could possibly go wrong
Re: Spain to Kenya
This may give some inspiration and comfort, although she went down the West coast.
https://www.sidetracked.com/edition-03/africa.php
https://www.sidetracked.com/edition-03/africa.php
Re: Spain to Kenya
Really? Are you sure you read the question?
The OP sounds quite cautions and pessimistic to me:
Looking at the map I really can't see how, reasonably safely.
Your thoughts, knowledge and advice. Please.
Re: Spain to Kenya
It's worth reading his previous posts. Such an undertaking is not for the fainthearted and mechanical skills help.
Re: Spain to Kenya
Even if you did get to Kenya overland - how would you get the e-trike back home?
Re: Spain to Kenya
I certainly read the question correctly. I also have seen numerous similar posts, on other forums and Facebook, which are purposefully designed to start a long thread involving forum members but the OP rarely, if ever, comes back.
In this case the OP has asked a question which if he simply looked at Google maps and read the news would be easily answered. He has 4 posts. He has started 4 threads and despite people responding has never returned to any of the threads he started.
I wouldn't give him the "oxygen" needed to keep this thread going.
Re: Spain to Kenya
OK, gotcha. It is a growing problem!
Re: Spain to Kenya
Seriously, anyone thinking of cycling in Africa should read Riaan Manser's account of his epic ride cycling right around Africa on his bicycle and the many difficulties and dangers he encountered.
Al
Al
Reuse, recycle, thus do your bit to save the planet.... Get stuff at auctions, Dump, Charity Shops, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Car Boots. Choose an Old House, and a Banger ..... And cycle as often as you can......
Re: Spain to Kenya
Re: Spain to Kenya
Re: Spain to Kenya
It depends on how much effort you put into your replies.
It can be a bit of a drag if you put in the effort, maybe doing a bit of extra research, only to realise it's completely wasted.
My first reply to this was 27 lines. Considering a number of aspects of overland travel. I have just written a similar reply to crossing India based on my experience, plus rechecking facts.
Maybe I should stick to one liners.
It can be a bit of a drag if you put in the effort, maybe doing a bit of extra research, only to realise it's completely wasted.
My first reply to this was 27 lines. Considering a number of aspects of overland travel. I have just written a similar reply to crossing India based on my experience, plus rechecking facts.
Maybe I should stick to one liners.
Re: Spain to Kenya
Hi people, I'm back.
For the people thinking I'm just fooling around. You only fool yourself!
With regards to my previous posts, completely different topic.
Finally I bought a Winther Cargoo with Bafang M410 mid drive motor.
So it has the quality and strength to cover 9000km without problems.
In theory!
No ferries from Europe to Egypt.
The possible route would be through Niger, Chad, CAR, South Sudan, Kenya.
Niger is a no go, the French army was driven out a while back.
So maybe, go around the whole of Europe, to raise awareness and hopefully some funds?
Would leave the Trike there, when I returned, but I'm thinking of volunteering there for a couple of years.
So if I went to Turkey let's say, mostly safe, then send the trike by ferry to Kenya?
Yes, I know I'm completely mad!!!!
Ps.
Charging the trike should not be much of an issue, I'll take solar panels, battery, inverter with me. So in Africa I should be able to do that.
For the people thinking I'm just fooling around. You only fool yourself!
With regards to my previous posts, completely different topic.
Finally I bought a Winther Cargoo with Bafang M410 mid drive motor.
So it has the quality and strength to cover 9000km without problems.
In theory!
No ferries from Europe to Egypt.
The possible route would be through Niger, Chad, CAR, South Sudan, Kenya.
Niger is a no go, the French army was driven out a while back.
So maybe, go around the whole of Europe, to raise awareness and hopefully some funds?
Would leave the Trike there, when I returned, but I'm thinking of volunteering there for a couple of years.
So if I went to Turkey let's say, mostly safe, then send the trike by ferry to Kenya?
Yes, I know I'm completely mad!!!!
Ps.
Charging the trike should not be much of an issue, I'll take solar panels, battery, inverter with me. So in Africa I should be able to do that.
Last edited by djson280 on 31 Oct 2024, 8:56am, edited 2 times in total.